MiraCosta College vs. California State University-San Marcos

Comparable Facts

Compare MiraCosta College in Oceanside, CA with California State University San Marcos in San Marcos, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University San Marcos is larger than MiraCosta College based on total student enrollment (16,237 students vs. 11,478 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• MiraCosta College is located in Oceanside, CA (Large Suburban setting); California State University San Marcos is in San Marcos, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• MiraCosta College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. California State University San Marcos is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: MiraCosta College 18:1; California State University San Marcos 24:1.

MiraCosta College vs. California State University-San Marcos Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MiraCosta College or California State University-San Marcos? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at MiraCosta College than California State University-San Marcos ($9,044 vs. $10,241).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University San Marcos are 58.8% lower than at MiraCosta College ($14,152 vs. $34,328).
• California State University San Marcos is 597.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than MiraCosta College (about $6,924 more per year; $8,082.00 vs. $1,158.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 112.1% higher at California State University-San Marcos than at MiraCosta College (about $10,932 more per year; $20,682.00 vs. $9,750.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at MiraCosta College than at California State University San Marcos (81% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University San Marcos students is 121.9% larger than aid received by MiraCosta College students ($11,123 vs. $5,013).

MiraCosta College vs. California State University-San Marcos Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MiraCosta College or California State University-San Marcos? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between California State University-San Marcos and MiraCosta College.

• MiraCosta College reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCalifornia State University San Marcos 950/1130.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsCalifornia State University San Marcos 17/22.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: MiraCosta College - Open admission; California State University-San Marcos - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: California State University-San Marcos Nov 30, 2026.

MiraCosta College vs. California State University-San Marcos Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MiraCosta College and California State University-San Marcos? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from California State University San Marcos earn a median of about $16,100 more per year than MiraCosta College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,100 vs. $33,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, MiraCosta College graduates have a $13,495 lower median loan debt than California State University-San Marcos graduates ($4,500 vs. $17,995).
• Among borrowers, MiraCosta College graduates have an estimated $140 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California State University-San Marcos graduates ($46 vs. $186).
• More California State University-San Marcos graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former MiraCosta College students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 46%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.